The ongoing investigation into the disappearance of couple John and Lois McCullough has taken a grim turn as authorities believe they have uncovered their remains. The couple’s daughter, 35-year-old Virginia McCullough, was previously charged with their murder and appeared in court on allegations of having committed the crime between 2018 and 2023.
Responding to worries concerning the couple’s wellbeing, the local police were summoned to Pump Hill in Chelmsford, where they initially discovered the septuagenarians missing from their residence. In a recent development, human remains have been reportedly found at another property located in the same vicinity.
However, Det Supt Rob Kirby cautioned that formal identification procedures concerning the bodies are still pending. A police presence is slated to remain at the scene in the days ahead. Kirby referred to the case as an “incredibly complex investigation”, acknowledging the deep mourning of the victims’ family, to whom support is being offered.
In a brief preliminary hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, Virginia McCullough was seen in a grey prison-issue tracksuit. Her detention continues as she waits for the next hearing which will take place at Basildon Crown Court.
The severity of the alleged crime has shaken the local community, prompting The Reverend Phil Sheldrake, vicar at St Mary’s Great Baddow, to offer his services and the church as a place of solace for those affected. The spiritual leader expressed his shock over the tragic incident, encouraging anyone affected to come, pray, light a candle, or simply seek comfort within the hallowed halls.
According to an official statement put forth by the family, they are grappling with the shocking reality of the sudden loss. As they navigate this challenging time, the family asks for privacy and understanding. The complexity of the case and the sad revelations continue to cast a pall over the tranquil town of Chelmsford, as the community endlessly waits for closure.
